Food Swaps That Cut Calories

Read on for simple healthy swaps that can change the way you live and eat.

2/16

Replace Granola with Oatmeal

Have you ever read the nutritional facts on a box of granola? The deceptively healthy breakfast can be incredibly sugar-filled. Instead, make a big pot of steel-cut oats and enjoy a small portion all week. Oatmeal is healthier and definitely less sugary than granola.

Image Credit: Getty Images

3/16

Replace Sour Cream with Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is an extremely versatile food. Add fruit and it's sweet, spoon it on tacos and it's savory. Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt, which has a lot more protein and a lot less fat.

For a healthier noodle, try spaghetti squash, which is lower in calories, but high in fiber.

Image Credit: Getty Images

7/16

Replace Iceberg Lettuce with Kale

Yes, salad is almost always the healthy choice, but there is a hierarchy when it comes to greens and unfortunately iceberg lettuce is one of the least nutritional greens. If you can't give up crunchy iceberg lettuce, just mix kale or spinach into a salad and you'll have a perfectly healthy meal.

Image Credit: Getty Images

8/16

Replace Potatoes with Cauliflower

Mashed potatoes are a super delicious comfort food, but by mashing up cauliflower instead of potatoes, you'll significantly lower the amount of calories in the dish.

Mushroom burgers are all the rage in the food world and make for tasty burgers. If you're not willing to give up beef entirely, shake up your burger recipe by adding mushroom, which will help to cut down on fat, but add nutritional value.

Image Credit: Getty Images

13/16

Replace White Bread with Whole Wheat Bread

By using whole wheat bread in sandwiches or for toast you'll be enjoying more fiber and than you would by eating white bread. According to SparkPeople, whole wheat bread still has fewer calories than white bread too.

Image Credit: Getty Images

14/16

Replace Rice with Quinoa

Rice always makes for a great side dish, but quinoa is not only more versatile, but a whole lot healthier. Quinoa contains protein, vitamins and nutrients, and it even has fewer calories than brown rice with 185 in a cup compared to 195.

Eating healthy doesn't always have to be a complete dietary reboot. Sometimes just skipping one ingredient can decrease calories or adding another can up nutritional value. Increasing your almond intake can help you to cut down on those vending machine snacks and trying a new grain like quinoa could spice up a salad.

The best news is that most of these changes can be made with ingredients you already have in your pantry.